Bean line fivc6v0998

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of the bean line designated FIVC6V0998. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of bean line FIVC6V0998, and to methods for producing a bean plant produced by crossing a plant of bean line FIVC6V0998 with itself or with another bean plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of bean line FIVC6V0998, including the pods and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of bean line FIVC6V0998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of crop breeding is to combine various desirable traits in asingle variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include greater yield,resistance to insects or pests, tolerance to heat and drought, betteragronomic quality, higher nutritional value, growth rate and fruit orpod properties.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different varieties produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines are developed byselfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new lines are evaluatedto determine which of those have commercial potential.

One crop species which has been subject to such breeding programs and isof particular value is garden bean (Phaseolus vulgaris (snap)). Beansare annual, warm-season legumes. Garden beans, also known as greenbeans, snap beans, or pole beans, are grown primarily for their pods,which are harvested for consumption in their succulent form, whereas drybeans (Phaseolus vulgaris (dry)), lima beans (Phaseolus limensis), andsoybeans (Glycine max) are usually grown for the seed itself. Inaddition, the bean leaf is occasionally used as a leaf vegetable, andthe straw is used for fodder.

Garden beans are available in bush and pole varieties. Bush varietiesform erect bushes 20-60 centimeters tall, while pole varieties formvines 2-3 meters long. The pods are typically 8-20 centimeters long,1-1.5 centimeters wide, and either green, yellow, black or purple incolor. Each pod generally contains 4-6 beans.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a bean plant of the beanline designated FIVC6V0998. Also provided are bean plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of bean line FIVC6V0998.Parts of the bean plant of the present invention are also provided, forexample, including pollen, an ovule, a pod, and a cell of the plant.

The invention also concerns seed of bean line FIVC6V0998. The bean seedof the invention may be provided as an essentially homogeneouspopulation of bean seed of the line designated FIVC6V0998. Essentiallyhomogeneous populations of seed are generally free from substantialnumbers of other seed. Therefore, in one embodiment, seed of lineFIVC6V0998 may be defined as forming at least about 97% of the totalseed, including at least about 98%, 99%, or more of the seed. Thepopulation of bean seed may be particularly defined as being essentiallyfree from hybrid seed. The seed population may be separately grown toprovide an essentially homogeneous population of bean plants designatedFIVC6V0998.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of bean line FIVC6V0998comprising an added heritable trait is provided. The heritable trait maycomprise a genetic locus that is, for example, a dominant or recessiveallele. In one embodiment of the invention, a plant of bean lineFIVC6V0998 is defined as comprising a single locus conversion. Inspecific embodiments of the invention, an added genetic locus confersone or more traits such as, for example, herbicide tolerance, insectresistance, disease resistance, and modified carbohydrate metabolism. Infurther embodiments, the trait may be conferred by a naturally occurringgene introduced into the genome of the line by backcrossing, a naturalor induced mutation, or a transgene introduced through genetictransformation techniques into the plant or a progenitor of any previousgeneration thereof. When introduced through transformation, a geneticlocus may comprise one or more genes integrated at a single chromosomallocation.

In another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a plant of line FIVC6V0998 is provided. The tissue culture willpreferably be capable of regenerating plants capable of expressing allof the physiological and morphological characteristics of the line, andof regenerating plants having substantially the same genotype as otherplants of the line. Examples of some of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the line FIVC6V0998 include thosetraits set forth in the tables herein. The regenerable cells in suchtissue cultures may be derived, for example, from embryos, meristems,cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower,seed and stalks. Still further, the present invention provides beanplants regenerated from a tissue culture of the invention, the plantshaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of lineFIVC6V0998.

In yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing bean seeds, plants and pods, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent bean plant with a second parent beanplant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent bean plants isa plant of the line designated FIVC6V0998. These processes may befurther exemplified as processes for preparing hybrid bean seed orplants, wherein a first bean plant is crossed with a second bean plantof a different, distinct line to provide a hybrid that has, as one ofits parents, the bean plant line FIVC6V0998. In these processes,crossing will result in the production of seed. The seed productionoccurs regardless of whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent bean plant, oftenin proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediated byinsect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually. Wherethe plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without the need fordirect human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent bean plants into plants that bear flowers. A third stepmay comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the male portions of flowers, (i.e., treating ormanipulating the flowers to produce an emasculated parent bean plant).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent bean plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent bean plants. Theharvested seed can be grown to produce a bean plant or hybrid beanplant.

The present invention also provides the bean seeds and plants producedby a process that comprises crossing a first parent bean plant with asecond parent bean plant, wherein at least one of the first or secondparent bean plants is a plant of the line designated FIVC6V0998. In oneembodiment of the invention, bean seed and plants produced by theprocess are first generation (F₁) hybrid bean seed and plants producedby crossing a plant in accordance with the invention with another,distinct plant. The present invention further contemplates plant partsof such an F₁ hybrid bean plant, and methods of use thereof. Therefore,certain exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an F₁ hybrid beanplant and seed thereof.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofthe bean plant line designated FIVC6V0998 is provided. The phrase“genetic complement” is used to refer to the aggregate of nucleotidesequences, the expression of which sequences defines the phenotype of,in the present case, a bean plant, or a cell or tissue of that plant. Agenetic complement thus represents the genetic makeup of a cell, tissueor plant, and a hybrid genetic complement represents the genetic make upof a hybrid cell, tissue or plant. The invention thus provides beanplant cells that have a genetic complement in accordance with the beanplant cells disclosed herein, and plants, seeds and plants containingsuch cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that line FIVC6V0998 could be identified by any of themany well known techniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence LengthPolymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 18:6531-6535, 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNAAmplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized AmplifiedRegions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science,280:1077-1082, 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by bean plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a bean plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second bean plant, preferably, another, distinct beanplant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a bean plantregenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid geneticcomplement of this invention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a plant of an inbredbean line that exhibits a combination of traits including good yield,medium-late maturity, small pod diameter and dark green and glossy podcolor. In certain embodiments, the trait may be defined as controlled bygenetic means for the expression of the trait found in bean lineFIVC6V0998.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method ofdetermining the genotype of a plant of bean line FIVC6V0998 comprisingdetecting in the genome of the plant at least a first polymorphism. Themethod may, in certain embodiments, comprise detecting a plurality ofpolymorphisms in the genome of the plant. The method may furthercomprise storing the results of the step of detecting the plurality ofpolymorphisms on a computer readable medium. The invention furtherprovides a computer readable medium produced by such a method.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from line FIVC6V0998, the method comprisingthe steps of: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from lineFIVC6V0998, wherein said preparing comprises crossing a plant of theline FIVC6V0998 with a second plant; and (b) crossing the progeny plantwith itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of asubsequent generation. In further embodiments, the method mayadditionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generationand crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself ora second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional 3-10generations to produce a plant derived from line FIVC6V0998. The plantderived from line FIVC6V0998 may be an inbred line, and theaforementioned repeated crossing steps may be defined as comprisingsufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line. In the method, it maybe desirable to select particular plants resulting from step (c) forcontinued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). By selecting plantshaving one or more desirable traits, a plant derived from lineFIVC6V0998 is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traits ofthe line as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing beans comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of bean lineFIVC6V0998, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b)collecting beans from the plant.

These and other features and advantages of this invention are describedin, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of variousexemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of the bean line designated FIVC6V0998. This lineshows uniformity and stability within the limits of environmentalinfluence for the traits described hereinafter. Bean line FIVC6V0998provides sufficient seed yield. By crossing with a distinct secondplant, uniform F1 hybrid progeny can be obtained.

In specific embodiments, a plant is provided that exhibits a number ofimproved traits such as good yield, medium-late maturity, small poddiameter and dark green and glossy pod color.

Line FIVC6V0998 is early maturing high quality 5/4 sieve processor beanwith good yields suitable for early season production, rain gapplanting, and double cropping. Pods are a deep green color, and areexceptionally uniform and straight and are 12.5 cm in length on acompact plant.

A. ORIGIN AND BREEDING HISTORY OF FIVC6V0998

The crossing and selections that led directly to FIVC6V0998 can besummarized as follows:

Line FIVC6V0998 was developed by backcross and pedigree breedingselection methods at Seminis Vegetable Seed's Breeding Stations inFiler/Twin Falls, Id. and DeForest, Wis. U.S.A. FIVC6V0998 originatesfrom a hand pollinated cross between the fixed line EX 0819504 which asnot advanced as a commercial variety and the stable breeding line RWK741derived from the cross of HMX8962 and True Blue.

EX 0819504 was developed by Seminis Vegetable Seeds but never marketedas a commercial variety. EX 0819504 is a large sieve green beantypically used in the processor industry. It is a deep green color andhas good resistance to bacterial brown spot. The origin of EX 0819504was the three way cross of Tempest/Benton//Tempest. Tempest was a largesieve processor bean developed and marketed by Harris Moran. Tempest isno longer marketed. Benton was a large sieve processor bean developedand marketed by Rogers Brothers later acquired by Syngenta. Benton is nolonger marketed.

The stable breeding line RWK741 derived from HMX 8962 and True Blue.True Blue was a large sieve processor bean developed and marketed byFerry Morse which was later acquired by Harris Moran. HMX8962 was theexperimental number assigned to the variety which later as named HyPak.HyPak failed to become an established variety and is no longer marketedby Harris Moran. HMX 8962 was a medium to large sieve green beandeveloped for the processor market. Observations at Filer, Id. in 1995and 1996 by Seminis researchers suggest that HMX8962 would not be a goodseed producer.

Year Season Generation Description Year 1 Spring A/B Parent A, EX0819504, planted under stake R01GH-90 and Parent B, RWK741, plantedunder stake R01GH-93 Year 1 Summer F1 4 F1 seeds designated as R01gh 90× 93 were planted under the stake number R01430-402. 240 F2 seed washarvested Year 2 Summer F2 60 seeds stock R01430-402 were planted understake R02.6883. 10 single plant selections were made. FMGC6V0999 tracesto R02.6883.02 Year 3 Summer F3 F3 seeds were planted in Filer Idahounder stake number R03.8366 and R03.8579 (24 seeds per plot). Additionalseeds were sown and plants evaluated for horticultural performance in DeForest, WI. Five single plant F4 selections were made in Filer ID.FMGC6V0998 traces to R03.8579.01 Year 4 Winter F4 F4 seeds fromR03.8366.02 were planted under stakes C04.1462 and C04.2083 (30 seedseach). Lines were evaluated for horticultural quality and plot C04.1462was harvested as a F5 bulk (F4 + 1) Year 4 Summer F5 F5 seed fromC04.1462 was planted in Filer, Idaho (3 reps 24 seeds/plot). F5 seed wasalso planted for horticultural/ agronomic evaluation in Wisconsin.Wisconsin sowings consisted of 2 plantings 2 reps each (15 seeds/plot)at De Forest, WI and 2 reps (15 seeds/plot) planted in Grand Marsh, WI.Based on family performance 6 single plant selections were made inFiler, ID. FIVC6V098 traces to single plant selection R04.16665.01 Year5 Winter F6 F6 seeds from R04.16665.01 were planted under stakesC05.0811 and C05.1915 (30 seeds each). Lines were evaluated forhorticultural quality and plot C05.0811 was harvested as a F7 bulk(F6 + 1) Year 5 Summer F7 F7 seed from C05.0811 was planted in Filer,ID. Idaho (3 reps 30 seeds/plot). F7 seed was also planted forhorticultural/agronomic evaluation in Wisconsin. Wisconsin sowingsconsisted of 2 plantings 2 reps each (30 seeds/plot) at De Forest, WI;and 2 reps (30 seeds/plot) planted in Grand Marsh, WI. Based on familyperformance 9 single plant selections were made in Filer, ID. FIVC6V0999traces to single plant selection R05.15938.01 Year 6 Winter F8 F8 seed(30 seeds per plot) of each R05 single plant selection was planted inChile and evaluated for horticultural quality. FMGC6V0999 traces to abulk of plot C06.K0148 Year 6 Summer F9 F9 seed from C06.K0148 wasplanted in Idaho as an initial breeder increase (4 rows × 100 seeds)Horticultural evaluations were done on 2 plantings (2 reps each) planted(30 seeds/plot) at De Forest, WI and 2 reps (30 seeds/plot) planted inGrand Marsh, WI. FMGC6V0998 traces to breeder increase bulk R06.14766Year 7 Summer Gen 0 Initial FS1 seed increase was done under plot number(F9 + 1) 07FBF13131. Consideration for commercialization was made basedon breeder evaluations over multiple locations Year 8 Summer Gen 1 FS2seed increase was done under plot number 08B649. (F9 + 2) Considerationfor commercialization was made based on breeder evaluations overmultiple locations

The method utilizes a progeny to row design. Observations during 4generations of multiplication and increases in Idaho indicated thatFIVC6V0998 was uniform for plant habit, maturity, pod type, and otherhorticultural and agronomic characteristics. As is true with othergarden beans, a very small percentage of mutations or variants for flatpods or string may occur during repeated replication. FIVC6V0998 waswithin the commercially acceptable limits of 0.1% (for flat pods) and0.01% (for string) for this type of mutation/variant.

B. PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BEAN LINEFIVC6V0998

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of bean line FIVC6V0998. A description of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of bean line FIVC6V0998is presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LineFIVC6V0998 Characteristic FIVC6V0998 Hystyle 1. Type Garden Garden 2.Market Maturity days to edible pods 62 65 heat units to edible pods1240  1300  3. Plant number of centimeters   16 cm   12 cm spacingbetween plants in a row habit determinate determinate plant height (in35.67 cm 46.02 cm centimeters) plant spread (width) in 34.34 cm 35.91 cmcentimeters pod position scattered low bush form spherical bush formhigh bush form growth type dwarf [Callide (D), dwarf Capitole (D)] dwarfbeans only: plant trailing [Great Northern non-trailing type (D),Felspar (D), Spinel (D)] dwarf beans only: plant short [Goldfish (D)]medium height 4. Leaves surface dull dull size large (Tender Crop) largecolor dark green (as dark or dark green darker than Bush Blue Lake 290)intensity of green color dark [Dubra (D), Goldfish dark (at the time offull (D), Silvia (C)] flowering) rugosity absent or very weak [IPRmedium (at the time of full Gruana (C), IPR Uirapuru flowering) (C)]terminal leaflet: size medium [Prelude (D)] medium (at the time of fullflowering) terminal leaflet: shape rhombic [Ace (D), Carlyn rhombic (atthe time of full (D), Madrigal (D)] flowering) terminal leaflet: lengthof medium [Goldfish (D), Tuf long tip (at the time of full (D)]flowering) dwarf beans only: intermediate [Tuf (D), predominately infoliage inflorescences: position Valja (D)] (at full flowering) plant:anthocyanin absent [Tuf (D)] absent coloration of hypocotyl 5.Anthocyanin Pigment: flowers absent absent leaves absent absent stemsabsent absent petioles absent absent pods present absent pedunclesabsent absent seeds absent present nodes absent absent 6. Flower size ofbracts medium [Meicy (C), medium Torrina (D)] color of standard creamcream color of wings white [Tuf (D)] white color of keel white white 7.Pods exterior color (fresh) (at light green (as light or light greenedible maturity) lighter than Provider) processed pods (exterior light(Tender Crop) light color) (at edible maturity) dry pod color (at ediblebuckskin (Sprite) green persistent maturity) chlorophyll dwarf beansonly: Pod medium [Amity (D), Luisa long length (excluding beak) (at (D)]the time of fresh market maturity) width (at the time of fresh medium[Meicy (C), medium market maturity) Regulex (D)] thickness (at the timeof medium [Impact (D), thin fresh market maturity) Flagrano (D), Donna(C)] ratio thickness/width (at medium [Tuf (D)] medium the time of freshmarket maturity) shape in cross section circular or round circular orround (through seed in middle of pod) (at the time of fresh marketmaturity) crease back present present pubescence sparse sparseconstriction (interlocular moderate moderate cavitation) at dry seedstage spur length   34.21 mm   29.35 mm fiber considerable (Sprite) nonenumber of seeds per pod   4.6   3.5 stringiness of ventral absent [Cabri(D), Tuf (D)] present suture (at the time of fresh market maturity) seeddevelopment fast (Provider) medium ground color (at the time green [Diva(D), Filetty green of fresh market maturity) (D), Fortissima (C)]intensity of ground color light [Erato (D), Fortissima light (at thetime of fresh (C)] market maturity) presence of secondary present[Barbel (D)] absent color (at the dry seed stage) degree of curvature(at the medium weak time of fresh market maturity) shape of curvature(at the concave [Admires (D)] convex time of fresh market maturity)shape of distal part acute [Aiguillon (D), Calas acute (excluding beak)(at the (D), Cesar (D)] time of fresh market maturity) length of beak(at the time long [Facta (D), Golddukat long of fresh market maturity)(D), Vilbel (D)] curvature of beak (at the weak [Nerina (D)] weak timeof fresh market maturity) texture of surface (at the smooth or slightlyrough smooth or slightly rough time of fresh market [Prelude (D), Tuf(D)] maturity) 8. Seed seed: weight very high [Facta (D), very highPrecores (C), Rote von Paris (D)] seed color: seed coat lustersemi-shiny semi-shiny seed color: seed coat monochrome monochrome seed:number of colors (of one one dry harvested seed) main/primary colorwhite greenish (largest area) (of dry harvested seed) seed coat patternsolid present seed: veining (of dry strong [Daisy (D), Flo (D)] weakharvested seed) hilar ring present present hilar ring color yellowyellow 9. Seed Shape and Size hilum view elliptical elliptical side viewoval to oblong reniform seed: shape in elliptic [Nerina (D), Proscircular to elliptic longitudinal section (of (D), Tuf (D)] dryharvested seed) seed: shape in cross medium elliptic [Orlinel mediumelliptic section (of dry harvested (D), Pluto (D), Rachel (D)] seed)seed: width in cross medium medium section (of dry harvested seed) seed:length (of dry medium [Igolomska (D)] medium harvested seed) gm/100seeds, grams per  32.2 gm  30.2 gm 100 seeds seed shape and size:    2gm  30.2 gm gm/100 seeds (grams per 100 seeds heavier than thecomparison variety *These are typical values. Values may vary due toenvironment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are withinthe scope of the invention.

C. BREEDING BEAN LINE FIVC6V0998

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for crossing thebean line FIVC6V0998 with itself or a second plant and the seeds andplants produced by such methods. These methods can be used forpropagation of line FIVC6V0998, or can be used to produce hybrid beanseeds and the plants grown therefrom. Hybrid seeds are produced bycrossing line FIVC6V0998 with second bean parent line.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing line FIVC6V0998 followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) in progeny. Once initial crosses have beenmade, inbreeding and selection take place to produce new varieties. Fordevelopment of a uniform line, often five or more generations of selfingand selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner, true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with lineFIVC6V0998 and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

New varieties may be created, for example, by crossing line FIVC6V0998with any second plant and selection of progeny in various generationsand/or by doubled haploid technology. In choosing a second plant tocross for the purpose of developing novel lines, it may be desired tochoose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selecteddesirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s)in progeny. After one or more lines are crossed, true-breeding lines maybe developed.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny are heterozygous for locicontrolling the characteristic being transferred, but are like thesuperior parent for most or almost all other loci. The last backcrossgeneration would be selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the traitbeing transferred.

The line of the present invention is particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the line. In selecting a second plant to cross withFIVC6V0998 for the purpose of developing novel bean lines, it willtypically be preferred to choose those plants which either themselvesexhibit one or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibitthe desired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples ofdesirable characteristics may include, for example, seed yield, seedsize, seed shape, seed uniformity, pod size, pod shape, pod color, poduniformity, early maturity, disease resistance, herbicide tolerance,seedling vigor, adaptability for soil conditions, adaptability forclimate conditions, and uniform plant height.

D. PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

Performance characteristics of the line FIVC6V0998 were the subject ofan objective analysis of the performance traits of the line relative toother lines. Results from the analysis are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Performance of FIVC6V0998 determined by 10 s length againstfirst early line “Venture” and midseason maturity check “Hystyle” Pd PdAve Pd 10 s Clean %1&2 %3 %4 %5 %6 Thick Ht Lgth Lgth % % % NAME PLTGHARV DAP lbs/A sv sv sv sv sv (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) cluster trash curveVenture 1 1 63 9924 9 4 35 34 18 144 70 17 16 7 (1st Early) 2 66 13121 43 22 43 28 11.7 10.7 169 128 18 13 9 3 68 12915 1 1 29 38 31 11.1 9.0160 158 14 10 8 2 1 56 6754 8 8 54 29 8.6 8.8 157 88 7 24 12 2 58 8931 65 43 43 6 10.3 9.1 160 85 4 20 15 3 62 9043 5 3 34 49 9 10.3 9.3 165 1156 18 17 FIVC6V0998 1 1 63 12553 5 4 50 41 141 95 15 15 4 (1st Early) 266 12311 2 1 46 49 3 10.2 10.1 145 138 17 8 3 3 68 11204 1 1 56 41 10.29.2 145 155 19 10 5 2 1 56 9072 10 15 66 9 6.9 7.0 142 68 7 19 9 2 587419 6 6 70 17 8.0 7.2 148 75 13 21 10 3 62 10724 4 4 52 40 8.7 8.0 145113 7 20 6 Hystyle 1 1 63 10004 9 9 53 29 132 85 7 13 5 (midseason) 2 6611631 4 6 58 31 9.9 8.5 136 105 10 11 5 3 68 13727 2 2 54 41 9.9 9.3 140138 9 10 2 2 1 56 7649 7 9 69 15 9.2 8.6 137 65 2 19 6 2 58 8708 5 6 6426 9.3 7.9 145 70 3 19 7 3 62 8198 5 5 45 45 10.0 9.0 149 93 2 25 12

E. FURTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those bean plants which are developed by a plantbreeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of thedesired morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalbean plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristic istermed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers to thefact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcrossprotocol and therefore does not recur. The parental bean plant to whichthe locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred is knownas the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in thebackcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a bean plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological andphysiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered inthe converted plant, in addition to the single transferred locus fromthe nonrecurrent parent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele may also be transferred. In this instance it may benecessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny bean plants of a backcross in whichFIVC6V0998 is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired trait fromthe non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of bean line FIVC6V0998 as determined atthe 5% significance level when grown in the same environmentalconditions.

Bean varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

With the development of molecular markers associated with particulartraits, it is possible to add additional traits into an established germline, such as represented here, with the end result being substantiallythe same base germplasm with the addition of a new trait or traits.Molecular breeding, as described in Moose and Mumm, 2008 (PlantPhysiology, 147: 969-977), for example, and elsewhere, provides amechanism for integrating single or multiple traits or QTL into an eliteline. This molecular breeding-facilitated movement of a trait or traitsinto an elite line may encompass incorporation of a particular genomicfragment associated with a particular trait of interest into the eliteline by the mechanism of identification of the integrated genomicfragment with the use of flanking or associated marker assays. In theembodiment represented here, one, two, three or four genomic loci, forexample, may be integrated into an elite line via this methodology. Whenthis elite line containing the additional loci is further crossed withanother parental elite line to produce hybrid offspring, it is possibleto then incorporate at least eight separate additional loci into thehybrid. These additional loci may confer, for example, such traits as adisease resistance or a fruit quality trait. In one embodiment, eachlocus may confer a separate trait. In another embodiment, loci may needto be homozygous and exist in each parent line to confer a trait in thehybrid. In yet another embodiment, multiple loci may be combined toconfer a single robust phenotype of a desired trait.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,male sterility, herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal,or viral disease, insect resistance, restoration of male fertility,modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, and enhanced nutritionalquality. These comprise genes generally inherited through the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. An example of a dominant trait is the anthracnoseresistance trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are sprayed with anthracnose spores prior to the backcrossing. Thespraying eliminates any plants which do not have the desired anthracnoseresistance characteristic, and only those plants which have theanthracnose resistance gene are used in the subsequent backcross. Thisprocess is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of bean plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent onthe phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection applicable to the breeding ofbean are well known in the art. Such methods will be of particularutility in the case of recessive traits and variable phenotypes, orwhere conventional assays may be more expensive, time consuming orotherwise disadvantageous. Types of genetic markers which could be usedin accordance with the invention include, but are not necessarilylimited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams etal., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF),Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary PrimedPolymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein byreference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)(Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

F. PLANTS DERIVED FROM BEAN LINE FIVC6V0998 BY GENETIC ENGINEERING

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into the bean line of the invention ormay, alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which canbe introduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plants,including bean, are well known to those of skill in the art. Techniqueswhich may be employed for the genetic transformation of bean include,but are not limited to, electroporation, microprojectile bombardment,Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and direct DNA uptake byprotoplasts.

As is well known in the art, tissue culture of bean can be used for thein vitro regeneration of a bean plant. Tissue culture of various tissuesof beans and regeneration of plants there from is well known. Forexample, reference may be had to McClean and Grafton (Plant Sci.,60:117-122, 1989); Mergeai and Baudoin (B.I.C. Invit. Papers,33:115-116, 1990); Vanderwesthuizen and Groenewald (S. Afr. J. Bot.,56:271-273, 1990); Benedicic et al. (Plant Cell Tissue Org. Cult.,24:199-206, 1990); Malik and Saxena (Planta, 184(1):148-150, 1991).

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

A particularly efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segmentsto plant cells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particlesare coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target bean cells. The screen disperses the particles sothat they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.It is believed that a screen intervening between the projectileapparatus and the cells to be bombarded reduces the size of projectilesaggregate and may contribute to a higher frequency of transformation byreducing the damage inflicted on the recipient cells by projectiles thatare too large.

Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species. For example, Russell etal. (Plant Cell Reports, 12(3):165-169, 1993).

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985). Moreover, recenttechnological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated genetransfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites inthe vectors to facilitate the construction of vectors capable ofexpressing various polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described haveconvenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and apolyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptidecoding genes. Additionally, Agrobacterium containing both armed anddisarmed Ti genes can be used for transformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985; U.S.Pat. No. 5,563,055). Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of P.vulgaris is described in, for example, Zhang et al. (J. American Soc.Horticul. Sci., 122(3):300-305, 1997); McClean et al. (Plant Cell Tiss.Org. Cult., 24:131-138, 1991); Lewis and Bliss (J. American Soc.Horticul. Sci., 119:361-366, 1994); and Song et al. (J. Plant Physiol.,146:148-154, 1995).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985; Omirulleh et al.,Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993; Fromm et al., Nature,312:791-793, 1986; Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986;Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988). Transformation of plants andexpression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994), and Ellul et al. (Theor. Appl.Genet., 107:462-469, 2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for garden bean plant geneexpression include, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus(CaMV) P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expressionin most plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985),including monocots (see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591, 1990;Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990); a tandemlyduplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35S promoter(P-e35S) the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., Plant Physiol.,88:547, 1988), the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., Plant Cell,1:977, 1989); and the figwort mosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter(P-eFMV) where the promoter sequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem,the cauliflower mosaic virus 19S promoter, a sugarcane bacilliform viruspromoter, a commelina yellow mottle virus promoter, and other plant DNAvirus promoters known to express in plant cells.

With an inducible promoter the rate of transcription increases inresponse to an inducing agent. Any inducible promoter can be used in theinstant invention. A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulatedin response to environmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmentalsignals can be used for expression of an operably linked gene in plantcells, including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., PlantPhysiol., 88:965, 1988), (2) light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter,Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989; maize rbcS promoter,Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-bindingprotein promoter, Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985), (3) hormones,such as abscisic acid (Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989), (4)wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989); or (5)chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or Safener. It mayalso be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters (e.g., Roshal etal., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987; Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988;Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989). Exemplary organ-specific ororgan-preferred promoters include, but are not limited to, aroot-preferred promoter, such as that from the phaseolin gene(Sengupta-Gopalan et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82:3320-3324,1985); a leaf-specific and light-induced promoter such as that from cabor rubisco (Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985) and Timko et al.,Nature, 318:579-582, 1985); an anther-specific promoter such as thatfrom LAT52 (Twell et al., Mol. Gen. Genetics, 217:240-245, 1989); apollen-specific promoter such as that from Zm13 (Guerrero et al., Mol.Gen. Genetics, 244:161-168, 1993) or a microspore-preferred promotersuch as that from apg (Twell et al., Sex. Plant Reprod., 6:217-224,1993).

Transport of protein produced by transgenes to a subcellular compartmentsuch as the chloroplast, vacuole, peroxisome, glyoxysome, cell wall, ormitochondrion or for secretion into the apoplast, may be accomplished bymeans of operably linking the nucleotide sequence encoding a signalsequence to the 5′ and/or 3′ region of a gene encoding the protein ofinterest. Targeting sequences at the 5′ and/or 3′ end of the structuralgene may determine, during protein synthesis and processing, where theencoded protein is ultimately compartmentalized. The presence of asignal sequence directs a polypeptide to either an intracellularorganelle or subcellular compartment or for secretion to the apoplast.Many signal sequences are known in the art. See, for example Becker etal. (Plant Mol. Biol., 20:49, 1992); Knox et al. (Plant Mol. Biol.,9:3-17, 1987); Lerner et al. (Plant Physiol., 91:124-129, 1989); Fonteset al. (Plant Cell, 3:483-496, 1991); Matsuoka et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA, 88:834, 1991); Gould et al. (J. Cell. Biol., 108:1657, 1989);Creissen et al. (Plant J., 2:129, 1991); Kalderon et al. (Cell,39:499-509, 1984); Steifel et al. (Plant Cell, 2:785-793, 1990).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to the bean lines ofthis invention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a bean plant according to the invention.Non-limiting examples of particular genes and corresponding phenotypesone may choose to introduce into a bean plant include one or more genesfor insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) gene, pesttolerance such as genes for fungal disease control, herbicide tolerancesuch as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, and genes for qualityimprovements such as yield, nutritional enhancements, environmental orstress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plant physiology, growth,development, morphology or plant product(s). For example, structuralgenes would include any gene that confers insect tolerance including butnot limited to a Bacillus insect control protein gene as described in WO99/31248, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Pat.No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, herein incorporated by reference ittheir entirety. In another embodiment, the structural gene can confertolerance to the herbicide glyphosate as conferred by genes including,but not limited to Agrobacterium strain CP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPSgene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety, or glyphosate oxidoreductasegene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175, herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991). The RNA could also be acatalytic RNA molecule (i.e., a ribozyme) engineered to cleave a desiredendogenous mRNA product (see for example, Gibson and Shillito, Mol.Biotech., 7:125, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces a protein or mRNAwhich expresses a phenotype or morphology change of interest is usefulfor the practice of the present invention.

G. DEFINITIONS

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

A: When used in conjunction with the word “comprising” or other openlanguage in the claims, the words “a” and “an” denote “one or more.”

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Bean Yield (Tons/Acre): The recovered yield in tons/acre is the yield ofthe bean pods at harvest versus the means of harvest (hand picked,mechanical harvest).

Broad Adaptation: A cultivar having a broad adaptability means acultivar or selection that will perform well in different growingconditions, locations, and seasons.

Bush Form: A USDA term about the visual look of the plant. A bean plantis: Spherical (even in width and height), Wide when the bush is widerthan tall, High when the bush is taller than wide, or Stem when theindividual branches protrude from the shape.

Concentrated set of pods: A concentrated set of pods is said of a plantwhere a high percentage of all pods on a plant set and mature at thesame time so as to facilitate a single harvest.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Determinate plant: A determinate plant will grow to a fixed number ofnodes with a terminal floral raceme on the main stem, while anindeterminate plant continues to grow and never has a terminal floralraceme on the main stem.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Dry pod color: The color of dry pods can be Buckskin (a light to palebrown),

Salmon (a distinct reddish color), or Green (pale to intense) dependingon the expression of the gene for persistent green.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Field holding ability: A bean plant that has field holding ability meansa plant having pods that remain smooth and retain their color along witha firm fleshy interior as the seed approached physiological maturity.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Machine or mechanical harvest: A machine harvestable plant means a beanplant from which the pods can be removed from the plant one of severalcommercial mechanical harvesters in such a manner as to reduce brokenpods, clusters, and plant matter from the desired pods.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Maturity: A maturity under 53 days is considered early while one between54-59 days would be considered average or medium and one of 60 or moredays would be late.

Maturity Date: Plants are considered mature when the pods have reachedtheir maximum desirable seed size and sieve size for the specific useintended. This can vary for each end user, e.g., processing at differentstages of maturity would be required for different types of consumerbeans such as “whole pack,” “cut” or “French style.” The number of daysis calculated from a relative planting date which depends on day length,heat units and other environmental factors.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Pod Color: A USDA term where light green color is defined by the varietyProvider and a dark green color by the variety Bush Blue Lake 290.Yellow is defined as color of the wax bean Goldrush.

Pod Position: The pod position is the location of the pods within theplant. The pods can be high (near the top), low (near the bottom), ormedium (in the middle) of the plant, or scattered throughout the plant.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart value: The RHS color chartis a standardized reference which allows accurate identification of anycolor. A color's designation on the chart describes its hue, brightnessand saturation. A color is precisely named by the RHS color chart byidentifying the group name, sheet number and letter, e.g., Yellow-OrangeGroup 19A or Red Group 41B.

Seed development: The rate at which seeds develop as pods reach theirharvest diameter. A slow seed development characteristic will give acultivar its field holding ability, and a larger harvest window.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of an inbred arerecovered in addition to the characteristics conferred by the singlelocus transferred into the inbred via the backcrossing technique. By“essentially all,” it is meant that all of the characteristics of aplant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in the sameenvironment and save for the converted locus, other than an occasionalvariant trait that might arise during backcrossing or directintroduction of a transgene. A single locus may comprise one gene, or inthe case of transgenic plants, one or more transgenes integrated intothe host genome at a single site (locus).

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tetraploid: A cell or organism having four sets of chromosomes.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a garden bean plant by transformation.

Triploid: A cell or organism having three sets of chromosomes.

H. DEPOSIT INFORMATION

A deposit of bean line FIVC6V0998, disclosed above and recited in theclaims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, USA, and assigned ATCCAccession No. PTA-11945. The seeds were deposited with the ATCC on Jun.20, 2011. Access to this deposit will be available during the pendencyof the application to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks andpersons determined by the Commissioner to be entitled thereto uponrequest. The deposits will be maintained in the ATCC Depository, whichis a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after themost recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent,whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable duringthat period. Applicant does not waive rights granted under this patentor under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.).

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, itwill be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practicedwithin the scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

1. A seed of bean line FIVC6V0998, a sample of seed of said line havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11945.
 2. A plant of beanline FIVC6V0998, a sample of seed of said line having been depositedunder ATCC Accession Number PTA-11945.
 3. A plant part of the plant ofclaim
 2. 4. The plant part of claim 3, wherein said part is selectedfrom the group consisting of a pod, pollen, an ovule and a cell.
 5. Abean plant, or a part thereof, having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the bean plant of claim
 2. 6. A tissueculture of regenerable cells of bean line FIVC6V0998, a sample of seedof said line having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-11945.
 7. The tissue culture according to claim 6, comprising cellsor protoplasts from a plant part selected from the group consisting ofembryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, roottips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 8. A bean plant regenerated fromthe tissue culture of claim 6, wherein the regenerated plant expressesall of the physiological and morphological characteristics of bean lineFIVC6V0998, a sample of seed of said line having been deposited underATCC Accession Number PTA-11945.
 9. A method of producing bean seed, themethod comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with itself or a secondbean plant.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plant of bean lineFIVC6V0998 is the female parent.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein theplant of bean line FIVC6V0998 is the male parent.
 12. An F1 hybrid seedproduced by the method of claim
 9. 13. An F1 hybrid plant produced bygrowing the seed of claim
 12. 14. A method for producing a seed of aline FIVC6V0998-derived bean plant, the method comprising the steps of:(a) crossing a bean plant of line FIVC6V0998 with a second bean plant, asample of seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11945; and (b) allowing seed of a FIVC6V0998-derived beanplant to form.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the stepsof: (c) crossing a plant grown from said FIVC6V0998-derived bean seedwith itself or a second bean plant to yield additionalFIVC6V0998-derived bean seed; (d) growing said additionalFIVC6V0998-derived bean seed of step (c) to yield additionalFIVC6V0998-derived bean plants; and (e) repeating the crossing andgrowing steps of (c) and (d) to generate further FIVC6V0998-derived beanplants.
 16. A method of vegetatively propagating a plant of bean lineFIVC6V0998, the method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting tissuecapable of being propagated from a plant of bean line FIVC6V0998, asample of seed of said line having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11945; (b) cultivating said tissue to obtain proliferatedshoots; and (c) rooting said proliferated shoots to obtain rootedplantlets.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising growing plantsfrom said rooted plantlets.
 18. A method of introducing a desired traitinto bean line FIVC6V0998, the method comprising: (a) crossing a plantof line FIVC6V0998 with a second bean plant that comprises a desiredtrait to produce F1 progeny, a sample of seed of said line FIVC6V0998having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11945; (b)selecting an F1 progeny that comprises the desired trait; (c) crossingthe selected F1 progeny with a plant of line FIVC6V0998 to producebackcross progeny; (d) selecting backcross progeny comprising thedesired trait and the physiological and morphological characteristic ofbean line FIVC6V0998; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or moretimes to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny thatcomprise the desired trait and essentially all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of bean line FIVC6V0998 when grown in thesame environmental conditions.
 19. A bean plant produced by the methodof claim
 18. 20. A method of producing a plant of bean line FIVC6V0998comprising an added desired trait, the method comprising introducing atransgene conferring the desired trait into a plant of bean lineFIVC6V0998, a sample of seed of said line FIVC6V0998 having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11945.
 21. A bean plantproduced by the method of claim
 20. 22. A bean seed that produces theplant of claim
 21. 23. A method of producing beans, the methodcomprising: (a) obtaining the plant of claim 2, wherein the plant hasbeen cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting beans from the plant.